Casablanca, the City That Lost Its White Identity

Once proudly known as the « White City, » Casablanca today bears little resemblance to its name. Walking through its neighborhoods, one sees a chaotic mix of colors on building facades—public offices, apartments, and business centers—deviating from the city’s once unified coastal aesthetic.

The lack of enforcement around a consistent white-and-blue color scheme has resulted in visual disarray. Pollution, rain, and exhaust fumes have further dulled the facades, while neglect has led to peeling paint and decay.

Adding to the visual clutter, graffiti and football slogans have increasingly covered the walls, particularly in working-class districts, giving some areas an urban grittiness reminiscent of the Bronx or inner-city neighborhoods abroad.

Despite some efforts to beautify main streets before royal visits, most of Casablanca’s buildings remain faded and disharmonious, calling into question local commitment to urban identity.